pressed by canvass, had acquired considerable velocity; but this was instantly stopped on reaching the edge of the pack, and they owed their safety, partly to their being forced an-end by the violence of the sea, and partly to the fortunate position in which they had been placed by their commanders. It is needless to add, that the havoc upon them was great: their rudders were squeezed and rendered useless; the greater I part of their timbers were either broken or sprung; and the Dorothea was stove in several places.
Preparations were now made for putting the boats and provisions on the ice; but, providentially, a favorable change soon took place. An immense floe, which had impeded the progress of the Trent, was split by a blow of her stem, and the several pieces, re-uniting after she had passed between them, formed a breakwater, and afforded such protection as yet to hold out hopes of her safety.
By 4 p.m., on the 30th, the gale had abated; the wind shifted, and the Trent forced her way out: the Dorothea had suffered too much to make the attempt. Early next morning, however, both vessels were clear of the ice; but in so shattered a condition, as to render their continuance at sea most perilous.
The hopes of the expedition being now at an end, Captain Buchan reluctantly yielded to necessity, and lost no time in making for the nearest anchorage. The port of Smeerenberg being found too insecure to admit of the vessels undergoing a temporary repair there, he proceeded from thence to Danes’ Gat, the best harbour yet discovered in Spitzbergen, where he remained until the end of August.
In this expedition, which has never had justice done it, many interesting magnetical and astronomical observations were obtained, which have been published by Mr. George Fisher, astronomer, of whom mention is made in our memoir of Sir W. E. Parry.
Captain Buchan’s last naval appointment was. May 24th, 1819, to the Grasshopper of 18 guns, fitting out for the Newfoundland station; where he received his post commission from England, dated June 12th, 1823. Previous to this
